I really wanted to cry, but I couldn’t. I absolutely couldn’t cry in front of those mother monkeys. That would make me hate myself to death. I sniffed, raised my head, and walked out under the gaze of everyone. The moment I stepped out of the restaurant’s door, the sunlight outside made my tears flow like a burst dam. On the way, many people looked at me, pointed, and some even snickered. I couldn’t hear anything anymore, nor did I care about what they were saying. Let them talk all they want; I, Xiang Xiaowu, am the queen of gossip. When have I ever been afraid? Talk away. After walking about a hundred meters, I suddenly noticed someone watching me from across the street. Although everything was blurry, I still recognized her — it was Gu Nanxiang. He, in his splendid seaweed soup, walked towards me, frowning, and handed me a handkerchief, asking, “Who bullied you?” I shook my head, then I couldn’t hold back anymore, disregarding any shame, I squatted down, hugged my head, and burst into tears. “Don’t cry! Don’t cry!” I heard him repeatedly say in my ear. But the more he said it, the harder I cried, all the grievances of the past days erupting like the Yellow River breaking its banks. Even Meng Jiangnu wasn’t as heartbroken as I was! Even Dou E wasn’t as tragic as me! I was unprecedentedly, universally tragic! Gu Nanxiang was probably scared by my crying, he reached out, hugged me, and gently patted my back, “Xiang Xiaowu, don’t cry. Don’t cry.” His voice was so gentle! But how could I not cry? Being slapped in front of so many people by Lin Xiaole, that mother monkey, and this splendid seaweed soup on me, all her doing, ~~(>_<)~~ My heart was shattered. At noon, there were many people on the road, many stopped to watch. Yes, it’s quite a spectacle, another scandal in the making, how many mouths are ready to spread the gossip? Fine! Let them talk, let them talk. Those disgusting people love taking photos with their phones, right? Take away! Feel free to take photos. “What are you looking at?” Gu Nanxiang roared. “And you, what are you taking pictures of!” Those who had stopped their feet started moving again, and I continued crying uncontrollably while he stood by, not knowing how to comfort me, just sighing…
After some time, Xia Wei came running over. “Xia Wei.” Seeing Xia Wei, I cried even louder. Anyway, I’ve lost all my dignity this time, I don’t care about losing more. I thought, soon, this splendid seaweed soup on me and the slap mark on my face would gloriously appear on the school forum. Xia Wei helped me up from the ground, and I saw Cheng Siwei standing far under a camphor tree, his face as pale as paper; we weren’t far apart, yet it felt like we were separated by mountains and centuries. He saw me looking at him, snapped back to reality, turned, and left.
Back at the dorm, after a simple wash, I fell asleep. Xia Wei didn’t say a word from start to finish, her face was ashen. And me? I’ve lost all my dignity. %>_<% My narcolepsy flared up again, not even the school bell could wake me. I entered a state of chaos, deep sleep. Even the doctor from the infirmary was called, but they were helpless. Yes! Gu Xiaowu just wanted to sleep, ideally to die in my sleep. That way, I wouldn’t have to face the rumors and mockery anymore. Death can truly be an escape. Ever since Lin Xiaole slapped me, Cheng Siwei seemed like a different person, no longer trying to impress me in front of others. Often, he just watched me from afar. The school was abuzz with rumors about me and Gu Nanxiang, with photos of us, especially of me in that splendid seaweed soup, crying so miserably, all over the forum. I really wanted to die. Lin Xiaole was given a demerit for hitting someone in the cafeteria, but the gossip about me grew, and the cold mockery came with it. “Gu Nanxiang actually likes her?” “Are they kidding? She’s so ugly, look at those carrot legs, that face that looks like death.” “She’s quite something, she’s bewitched the two big bosses of our school. Being ugly is really something.” “Damn! I wonder what means she used.” “That girl is really shameless.” “Gu Nanxiang wouldn’t like her, nor would Cheng Siwei, she’s just throwing herself at them.” … Rumors and gossip flew everywhere. Obviously, I had become the public enemy of the girls at Yunxiao, followed by contempt and disdain wherever I went, with people pointing and talking. Every time I looked at them, I saw faces that were half-smiling, half-not.
“Fear the rumors when not caught in the middle!” This was left by a starlet before she committed suicide, but I, Xiang Xiaowu, won’t die, not just because I don’t want to, but more importantly, if I died, wouldn’t those monkeys laugh me to death? I’ll live, and I’ll be stronger, hum! Let the mighty cosmos explode, monkeys! Let’s fight to the end.
On a weekend afternoon, as usual, it was cleaning time. Xia Wei and I were in charge of the dorm. She was curled up in bed reading a comic book, while I was sweating, mopping the floor and wiping windows. I really don’t understand, doesn’t Yunxiao have janitors? Why do they bother us with labor? After a while, Xia Wei turned to me and said, “Is there any event tonight, Xiang Xiaowu?” “No.” What event could there be? I, the public enemy of Yunxiao, the despised love rival, even stepping out of the dorm door would bring curses and blame. Alas~~~ “I heard next week is Cheng Siwei’s birthday.” “Oh?” What’s this guy’s intention? Why tell me? I don’t want to know. “Do you want to give him a gift or something?” Give a gift? No way, I, Xiang Xiaowu, only have a middle finger for the one who stole my first kiss, not gifts! That would be like killing me. But, it’s strange, how does Xia Wei know his birthday? “How did you know he’s having a birthday?” I asked. “He accidentally left his wallet in the classroom the day before yesterday, and I saw it on his ID.” She held the comic book to her chest, looking straight at me. “Oh!” She’s really attentive, she remembered. I didn’t speak anymore. After a while, she asked again, “So, are you giving him a gift or not?” “No.” Absolutely not! Otherwise, what would I become? The person in the middle?
“No way, I’m firmly a supporter of the Gu gang, and I absolutely draw the line with the Sheng gang.” “Oh!” Her response was somewhat hesitant as she pinched her chin, looking at me. Xia Wei is really strange, I can’t quite put my finger on what I feel. Xiang Xiaowu is destined to be a nanny; I walked out alone. Before leaving, I sent a message to Xiang Tong, asking if she wanted to come home for dinner. That way, I could bring some vegetables straight from the market. %>_<%! Xiang Xiaowu is really destined to be a nanny. She replied quickly: “Okay. I’ve already bought the groceries.” What? Bought the groceries? Did I read that right? That’s really odd, when did Xiang Tong ever go to the market? Does she know how much a pound of greens costs? Does she know shrimp should be bought alive? Ha ha, she knows nothing! She might have bought instant noodles instead. OMG. When she used to say dinner was ready, it often meant she had prepared instant noodles. But… maybe… she has stepped out of Cheng Bin’s shadow and is ready to start a proper life with me? At this thought, I looked up at the sky; the evening weather was nice with a sky full of red clouds. Thank God, though you’ve closed almost all doors for me, you’ve left one window open, haven’t you? No matter how unhappy I am at school, my life is still vibrant, and I must continue to move forward as always. I am still that roaring little tank, moving heroically on the bright road to the future, overcoming obstacles and crossing rivers. (^o^)/ No matter what awaits tomorrow, be it a mountain of knives or a clear day, I, Xiang Xiaowu, am still Xiang Xiaowu!
